MYRModel Year Report

2016 GMC Yukon

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2016 GMC Yukon
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
268
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2016

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Exterior lighting

39% of complaints

Complaints per year

1986: 1 complaint 1986 1987: 1 complaint 1992: 19 complaints 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 59 complaints 1995: 90 complaints 1995 1996: 70 complaints 1997: 133 complaints 1998: 80 complaints 1999: 204 complaints 2000: 166 complaints 2000 2001: 197 complaints 2002: 158 complaints 2003: 204 complaints 2004: 158 complaints 2005: 85 complaints 2005 2006: 27 complaints 2007: 428 complaints 2008: 187 complaints 2009: 94 complaints 2010: 105 complaints 2010 2011: 158 complaints 2012: 62 complaints 2013: 117 complaints 2014: 56 complaints 2015: 529 complaints 2016: 268 complaints 2016 268 2017: 196 complaints 2018: 69 complaints 2019: 55 complaints 2020: 36 complaints 2021: 330 complaints 2022: 181 complaints 2023: 239 complaints 2024: 104 complaints 2025: 52 complaints 2025 2026: 39 complaints
1986: 1 complaint 1986 1987: 1 complaint 1992: 19 complaints 1993: 17 complaints 1993 1994: 59 complaints 1995: 90 complaints 1996: 70 complaints 1996 1997: 133 complaints 1998: 80 complaints 1999: 204 complaints 1999 2000: 166 complaints 2001: 197 complaints 2002: 158 complaints 2002 2003: 204 complaints 2004: 158 complaints 2005: 85 complaints 2005 2006: 27 complaints 2007: 428 complaints 2008: 187 complaints 2008 2009: 94 complaints 2010: 105 complaints 2011: 158 complaints 2011 2012: 62 complaints 2013: 117 complaints 2014: 56 complaints 2015: 529 complaints 2016: 268 complaints 2016 268 2017: 196 complaints 2018: 69 complaints 2019: 55 complaints 2020: 36 complaints 2020 2021: 330 complaints 2022: 181 complaints 2023: 239 complaints 2023 2024: 104 complaints 2025: 52 complaints 2026: 39 complaints 2026
1986: 1 complaint 1986 1987: 1 complaint 1992: 19 complaints 1992 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 59 complaints 1994 1995: 90 complaints 1996: 70 complaints 1996 1997: 133 complaints 1998: 80 complaints 1998 1999: 204 complaints 2000: 166 complaints 2000 2001: 197 complaints 2002: 158 complaints 2002 2003: 204 complaints 2004: 158 complaints 2004 2005: 85 complaints 2006: 27 complaints 2006 2007: 428 complaints 2008: 187 complaints 2008 2009: 94 complaints 2010: 105 complaints 2010 2011: 158 complaints 2012: 62 complaints 2012 2013: 117 complaints 2014: 56 complaints 2014 2015: 529 complaints 2016: 268 complaints 2016 268 2017: 196 complaints 2018: 69 complaints 2018 2019: 55 complaints 2020: 36 complaints 2020 2021: 330 complaints 2022: 181 complaints 2022 2023: 239 complaints 2024: 104 complaints 2024 2025: 52 complaints 2026: 39 complaints 2026

2016: 268 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19861
19871
199219
199317
199459
199590
199670
1997133
199880
1999204
2000166
2001197
2002158
2003204
2004158
200585
200627
2007428
2008187
200994
2010105
2011158
201262
2013117
201456
2015529
2016268
2017196
201869
201955
202036
2021330
2022181
2023239
2024104
202552
202639

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Exterior lighting

39% · 105 reports

Most commonly citing tail lights and brake lights.

Show complaint excerpts

Headlights are too dim and do not provide appropriate visibility for safe driving at night, particularly when navigating curvy roads as the lights do not project an adequate distance.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-01-31

Service brakes

20% · 54 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While in slow traffic, I pressed brakes to stop. The brake peddle did not compress down, causing me to have to enter the highway median to keep from striking the vehicle in front of me. The median was wet and muddy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-07-22

Abs system is not functioning properly, codes are being thrown for multiple things such as cylinder 2, which all spark plugs and coils and spark lines were fixed, then it ran for one day and threw a different code of cylinder 6 misfire with the abs...

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-30

My 2016 GMC Yukon is hard to stop when pressing brake pedal. Vehicle shimmy’s when pressing the brake and it must be pressed very hard. Have read and watched many videos this is very common issue on 2014-2018 Yukons and Tahoes.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-26

Electrical system

20% · 53 reports

Power train

13% · 35 reports

Most commonly citing fluid/lubricant.

Show complaint excerpts

Issues with the 8L90 transmission. The shuddering and hesitation has gotten very bad and having to look into options to repair or replace the…

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-27

Engine

13% · 34 reports
Show complaint excerpts

The car lost all engine power on the interstate of I10. Leaving me without power, barely able to get to the side of the road. Warning only when lost engine power on the highway. Cannot be driven.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-10

My 2016 GMC Yukon Denali was taken in for a tune up. When I received the vehicle back, I was told that there was possibly a microscopic pin hole in my engine because fluid (engine coolant) was under one of the injectors.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-15

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2016Complaint volume 268 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2016-05-18Suspension16V256000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL vehicles.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right front upper control arms and realign the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began on May 18, 2016.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2016-10-13Air bags, seat belts16V651000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017...

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2017-08-04Air bags, seat belts17V437000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac...

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2018-11-20Preliminary evaluationClosed 2022-04-10 Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
  6. R
    2019-10-08Service brakes, hydraulic19V645000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2019-12-11Electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic19V761000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2016 GMC Yukon — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Exterior lighting: 105 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 54 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 53 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 16V256000 · Suspension
  • Recall 16V651000 · Air bags, seat belts
  • Recall 17V437000 · Air bags, seat belts
  • Recall 19V645000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 19V761000 · Electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2016 GMC Yukon reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 GMC Yukon is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2016 GMC Yukon?
The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 39% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 GMC Yukon have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.